Designing fine-grained and inclusive systems by integrating Service Design within Futures Studies and Foresight

This paper evaluates the human-centric, systemic and near future-driven components of Service Design to understand how they can work within a Future Studies and Foresight (FSF) framework. Expanding on empirical evidence gathered from a case study with renters and shareowners in Danish cooperative housing associations (Andelsboligforeningen), the paper looks at how the application of Service Design – within Future Studies and Foresight (FSF, hereafter) – can facilitate the rebuilding of our socio-technical systems with a more inclusive and fine-grained outcome, allowing end-users to understand and engage with complex systems. The reason for advancing a connection between Service Design and FSF stems from the need to influence changing realities inclusively, by making systemic value offerings perceptible and clearer; individuals have the potential to overcome critical points of systemic concern by embracing their role within a complex ecosystem of assets and stakeholders. The paper eventually provides a theoretical reflection on the gestalt emerging from bridging Service Design and FSF, and how this can inspire and establish strategic viewpoints on how to co-design complex systems embedded in different socio-technical dimensions.